Experimental Increase of Lung Metastases After Operative Trauma (Amputation of Limb with Tumor)

The primary interest of the surgeon in the treatment of cancer should be directed toward eradication of the primary tumor, but the control of metastases is obviously of vital importance, and in fact part of the fight to obtain a cure. Up to date much splendid work has been carried out on dissemination of cancer by the lymphatics and by contiguity. However, dissemination by implantation and by the venous system has been neglected. In our opinion there is need for an intense study of dissemination by these latter two mechanisms. A few years ago we became interested in the question as to what effect operation itself had on the growth of tumor, particularly in regard to metastases. The experiments reported herein were designed to answer this question. Venous metastases are of unquestioned importance because they are usually the cause of death, except in a few tumors (e. g., those of